According to a Kansas newspaper, the state is about to become actively involved in the sex-toy business, selling thousands of them at auction to make good on tens of thousands of dollars in state taxes owed by the owner. The Topeka Capital Journal reported that a private auction firm is selling the sex toys online at the direction of the Kansas Department of Revenue.

According to the newspaper, online shoppers for adult DVDs, novelty items, clothing and other products can “participate in a bonanza shopping experience.”

The owner, Larry Minkoff, was doing business under the Bang label.  But the newspaper reports he resisted requests from the Kansas Department of Revenue for payment of $163,986 in state taxes. It’s unclear how much he still owes the state, because those precise records are not open to the public.

Agents took action in July to seize business inventory at outlets in Topeka, Wichita, Junction City and Kansas City, Kan., under Minkoff’s control. 

The newspaper reported that the merchandise was released back to Minkoff as part of a negotiated arrangement. He subsequently entered into a contract to sell the holdings at public auction and apply the money toward payment of taxes owed the state of Kansas. The contract is with equip-bid.com auction company.

Political opponents of Republican Governor Sam Brownback were quick to pounce.  In a news release,  Kansas Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley said “Brownback is so desperate to fill the massive hole in the state budget caused by his reckless income tax cuts that the state of Kansas is now in the porn business.”

“The Kansas Department of Revenue must be working overtime turning over every rock to find funds to make next week’s revenue numbers look better than they really are,” Hensley said.